Shortlist Announced for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards 2017

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IRELAND has announced the 16 finalists for the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards 2017, supported by DCC plc.

Of the sixteen, eight will go on to receive an initial 300,000 euro in funding and support for their projects for social change with potential for further investment and development opportunities.

The finalists have entered the final stages of the selection process, pitching their projects to panels of judges in the hope of winning a place on the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards programme. The highly competitive programme offers critical funding and mentorship opportunities to high-potential social entrepreneurs to enable them to scale the impact of their projects.

The sixteen finalists have come through a rigorous process with 149 applicants competing for eight places on the programme.

Announcing the Finalists today Social Entrepreneurs Ireland CEO Darren Ryan said: “We have been very impressed by the calibre of applications we have received this year and we would like to congratulate the finalists for reaching this point in the process. We look forward to working closely with the 2017 Awardees to scale the impact of their projects in Ireland.”

The Blueprint for Safety National Demonstration Site – Madeline Mc Aleer

The Green Kitchen Café & Garden Centre – Duncan Walker

The Grow Dome Project – Niall O’Brien & Ivan Rynn

The Holding Project – Sean Cullen

The New Growth Project – Ciaran Burke

The Shona Project – Tammy Darcy

Zeminar – Damien Clarke & Ian Fitzpatrick

DCC plc, the international sales, marketing and support services group, is the flagship supporter of the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards. Speaking of DCC’s partnership with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, CEO of DCC plc Tommy Breen said,

“We strongly believe in the work of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and are delighted to play a role in identifying and supporting Ireland’s brightest and most ambitious entrepreneurs who are dedicated to making a positive impact on our society.”

The Award winners will be announced at the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Ceremony in the Mansion House on October 4th, 2017.

The GAA has confirmed the referees and match officials for the 2017 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior and Minor Championship finals on September 3rd with Fergal Horgan appointed to referee the Senior final.